British Consul General Dame Barbara Hay and the Board of Directors of the British American Business Council Los Angeles welcomed guests to the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica to celebrate The 53rd Annual Christmas Luncheon on Friday, December 14th.
This year, Tom Arnold, Golden Globe-winning writer and producer, and one of Hollywood’s most entertaining actors and funnymen attended as the Guest Speaker. Guests were treated to music by Peter Asher, a three time Grammy Award winner and Fox News host Carlos Amezcua was the Emcee. Festivities began at 11:30 am with a hosted Champagne Reception and Silent Auction. The traditional sit-down British Christmas Luncheon, complete with all the trimmings, was accompanied by entertainment and a Grand Raffle featuring trips to various locations throughout the world. There was also a toy drive, donating to this years designated charity, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
The festive event has become a celebrated favorite with the British and American communities in Southern California. Each year it draws over 500 people, including the British Consul General, the Regional Director of UK Trade & Investment, celebrities, and prominent leaders from the business and entertainment communities, making it the best Christmas luncheon in town.
The Luncheon celebrated a great year for the UK, from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee to the Olympics. Last year, they featured the then-upcoming summer games, including the involvement of NBC and Universal Sports, as well as a number of Olympians. At an exclusive Breakfast in February of this year, we were honored to host Lord Coe, Chairman of the London Olympics, in one of only two appearances during his brief visit to Los Angeles.
Recent distinguished speakers at the Christmas Luncheon have included NBA All-Star Gary Payton in 2009, renowned producer Mark Burnett in 2010, and best-selling author Sir Ken Robinson in 2011. Other notable speakers, performers and guests have included Roger Moore, Daniel Craig, Lynn Redgrave, Brenda Blethyn, Billy Connelly and Joan Collins.
The BABC LA Christmas Luncheon supported the efforts of the BABC LA, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting friendship, commerce and trade between the United States and the United Kingdom.
About the British American Business Council:
The BABC is part of the largest transatlantic business network, with 23 chapters and 2,500 member companies, including many of the world’s largest multinationals, based in major business centers throughout North America and the United Kingdom.
The BABC Los Angeles hosts a variety of business, social, cultural and sporting events to meet their needs. Members, who represent a cross-section of industries, have a broad range of skills and interests, in addition to one common goal: the opportunity to liaise with like-minded individuals who support the objectives of the BABC and all things British.
The BABC promotes business relations between the US and UK, providing a vast network of alliances, business development and intelligence services, and updates on key US, UK and EU policy issues in cooperation with its US and EU Trade and Investment Policy Committees. The BABC has participated in major business initiatives and taken advocacy positions on policy issues of interest to its membership.
For more information, please visit: www.babcla.org
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